Patriots: Keep or cut him?

The Patriots are now less than two weeks away from their season opener on Sept. 8 in Buffalo vs. the Bills. With no games remaining in the preseason, head coach Bill Belichick and the New England coaching staff have to make their final cuts to get their 53-man regular season roster set.

The team cut the roster down to 75 players on Tuesday and now must be down to 53 players on Saturday. Here’s a rundown of some of the players who are on the bubble, and your chance to weigh in on whether they are roster-worthy.
Next

Michael Dwyer/AP

Tim Tebow

Position: QB

Case for: Ran six times for 30 yards in both games against Tampa Bay and New York, 16 total runs for 91 yards in three games; threw for 91 yards and two touchdowns against the Giants; provides positive presence and character for team.

Case against: Completed just one of seven passes against Tampa Bay on Aug. 16; was 4-for-12 passing and was sacked three times Aug. 9 against Philadelphia; no touchdowns and one interception in first two games; did not play Aug. 22 against Detroit; sacked four times for 25 yards lost Aug. 29 against the Giants.

Berry’s take: Tebow has regressed during training camp, with a preseason performance against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1 of 7 passing, minus-1 yard, 1 interception) that’s worth forgetting. If he sticks around, he’ll be running the option. But he’ll most likely be taking a roster spot from someone else.

Case for: 101 yards on 11 carries and two TDs, caught 12-yard pass on his only target on Aug. 9 against Philadelphia; has shown ability to run through tackles and gain extra yardage.

Case against: Just 10 yards on three carries on Aug. 16 against Tampa Bay, most likely a third-string running back behind Stevan Ridley and Shane Vereen; ran for just 26 yards on 10 carries Aug. 22 against Detroit; did not play Aug. 29 against the Giants.

Berry’s take: A talented runner with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Blount has been in a battle for a position on the team with second-year pro Brandon Bolden. He certainly impressed in his preseason debut for the Patriots, rushing for 101 yards on 11 carries and two touchdowns. But he brings nothing on special teams, where Bolden holds an edge.

Case for: Ran for 137 yards in 2012 game against Buffalo; ran for 38 yards on six carries Aug. 16 against Tampa Bay.

Case against: Served four-game suspension in 2012 for failed substance test, bypassed by Shane Vereen when he returned; ran for just 14 yards on four carries Aug. 9 against Philadelphia; had a bad fumble on his only carry on Aug. 22 against Detroit; no carries Aug. 29 against the Giants.

Berry’s take: After returning from an unknown ailment during training camp, Bolden has had mixed performances in the preseason. He has good speed and power, but he's fallen behind LeGarrette Blount on the depth chart. However, he does hold an edge on Blount with his special teams skills.

Case for: 7-year veteran with Jets and Seahawks; posted 1,140 total yards returned (punts and kickoffs) in 2012 with one touchdown for Seahawks; excellent on special teams in kick returning; returned five punts for 53 yards Aug. 29 against the Giants.

Case against: Has not shown that he can do much on offense as runner or pass catcher; has three catches and five rushes in preseason; 88 total yards returned in first three preseason games; had a lost fumble on a punt return against the Giants.

Berry’s take: Washington is a remarkable kick returner and a good option at running back on third down. But as training camp has gone on, he has seen fewer and fewer reps in the backfield. He's taking a step back to Shane Vereen and the emergence of LeGarrette Blount.

Case for: Patriots captain on special teams; four-year Patriots veteran; strong leader for young Patriots WRs and special teams players.

Case against: Almost primarily a special teams player; just two returns for 35 total yards in first three preseason games.

Berry’s take: The special teams stud and Patriots captain is almost assured a spot on the team. He's well-respected in the locker room and by coach Bill Belichick, who puts a high premium on his special teams play.

Case for: One of two of the Patriots’ healthy returning TEs from 2012; has shown flexibility playing in multiple areas.

Case against: Just three catches for 32 yards over two preseason games; had just seven targets in 2012.

Berry’s take: Hoomanawanui has worked as the team's flex tight end, primarily working as a run blocker while lining up as a fullback or halfback. He hasn't been given much opportunity to show off his ability to catch the ball, targeted only seven times in 2012, but he's nevertheless been an option.

Case for: Can play both guard and tackle and also provide depth in case of injuries.

Case against: Played on line that allowed five sacks Aug. 29 against the Giants; inexperience and a stacked guard position, including starter Logan Mankins and converted tackle Marcus Cannon, make it difficult for the Patriots to see much value in the rookie.

Berry’s take: The Kent State product, who signed as an undrafted rookie this offseason, has got a long way to go to make this team, but has a chance on the pratice squad.

Case for: Could provide some insurance for the Patriots DE corps; recorded five tackles Aug. 22 against Detroit; played almos the entire game on Aug. 29 against the Giants, recording three tackles.

Case against: Did not record a tackle in the first two preseason games.

Berry’s take: Bequette is having a pretty good training camp, if all you're considering are his practice reps. But he has yet to make an impact when he has gotten on the field. There's been a lot of movement in front of him, making his ascension difficult.

Case for: Recorded 24 combined tackles with 2.5 sacks and two fumble recoveries in 2012; played in two playoff games for Patriots in 2012.

Case against: Was suspended four games in 2012 for testing positive for a banned substance; has missed practice time in training camp due to injury.

Berry’s take: Cunningham may have been on track for his finest season in 2012 before he was hit with a four-game suspension for performance-enhancing drugs. Afterward, all sense of steam for his career has appeared to slow. He hasn’t had any chance to pick it back up.

Case for: Seventh-round pick in 2013 NFL draft; played 55 snaps against Philadelphia on Aug. 9; recorded seven tackles in first two preseason games; recorded four tackles, 2.5 sacks, and one forced fumble Aug. 29 against the Giants.

Case against: Has shown inexperience during preseason; still has character concerns from college; recorded just one tackle Aug. 22 against Detroit.

Berry’s take: The seventh round pick out of Illinois has more talent than a seventh-round pick. He has more than a few people in front of him, including Chandler Jones, Rob Ninkovich, Justin Francis, Marcus Benard and possibly Jake Bequette.

Case for: Played in 2012 AFC Championship against Baltimore; had five total tackles on Aug. 16 against Tampa Bay; recorded five tackles Aug. 29 against the Giants.

Case against: Spent most of 2012 on practice squad; had no impact on Aug. 22 game against Detroit; still unclear if he can be a full time player.

Berry’s take: Forston, a second-year player, has experience on the team's practice squad. With Armond Armstead's absence, he's been able to give Vince Wilfork a breather and hold his own in competitive situations. He projects as the team's third defensive tackle.

Case for: Played 23 games in 2010 and 2011 with Patriots, recording 55 tackles, two sacks, two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and one interception; had four tackles on Aug. 22 against Detroit; recorded eight tackles Aug. 29 against the Giants.

Case against: Missed all of 2012 with an ACL tear.

Berry’s take: During OTAs, he filled in as the team's first-string middle linebacker while Brandon Spikes was away from the team. A healthy Fletcher, who had 32 combined tackles and five starts in 2011, should provide depth.

Case for: Played 2012 with Miami and New England, made nine tackles; recorded four total tackles on Aug. 16 against Tampa Bay; also plays on special teams.

Case against: In a stacked group of linebackers, and expanded position groups on offense, he could get squeezed out easily.

Berry’s take: Rivera is fighting for a spot on this team by either showcasing his special teams worth, or proving to be a competent backup to Brandon Spikes over Dane Fletcher and rookie Steve Beauharnais.

Case for: Recorded 17 tackles and one interception in 2012 for Patriots; led the team with eight tackles Aug. 29 against the Giants; has 16 tackles in four preseason games; can play both cornerback and safety.

Case against: Has competition from rookie cornerback Logan Ryan, who was drafted in the second round.

Berry’s take: Cole has outperformed rookie Logan Ryan in practices and in the preseason, showing he can be competitive against slot receivers. Last year, he showed he had the ability to help the Patriots at both cornerback and safety and can contribute on special teams.

Case for: Signed as an undrafted free agent, Patriots decided to take a chance with very little risk.

Case against: Just five tackles in four preseason games.

Berry’s take: A fast corner (4.43 40-yard dash), Green was brought on late by the Patriots in the offseason as an undrafted free agent. He's shown an ability to compete in camp and has surprised with his play in preseason games.

Case for: Recorded 41 tackles, four interceptions, and two fumble recoveries as a rookie for Patriots in 2012; has 13 tackles in four preseason games.

Case against: Has shown signs of sophomore slump; not making expected progress in second year.

Berry’s take: Wilson is struggling to get reps in the first-team group, with Adrian Wilson, Steve Gregory, and Duron Harmon ahead of him. What's more, he's making mental errors on the field that are unbecoming of a second-year player.

Case for: 8-year veteran; played 12 games for Patriots in 2012, recording 37 tackles with two forced fumbles, two fumble recoveries, and three interceptions.

Case against: Hasn’t made an impact during preseason games for Patriots.

Berry’s take: Gregory played most of 2012 out of position, outsized as a strong safety in the team's defensive scheme. This year, he's backing up Devin McCourty at free safety, subbing in for the Patriots’ captain when McCourty shifts to cornerback. He'll surely be insurance for any injuries the team sustains.

Case for: Has spent past three seasons as punter for Patriots; averaged more than 43 yards per punt over the last three seasons; landed 28 of 60 punts inside the 20 yard line in 2012, good for 46.7 percent; has averaged just over 45 yards per punt on 15 punts in preseason.